Kumasi, April 29, GNA – The Ashanti Region House of Chiefs (ARHC) on Friday declared that the Asantehene has no obligation to consult any Regional House of Chiefs before elevating chiefs, who owe allegiance to the Golden Stool to a Paramount status.
The House contended that the provision in the new Legislative Instrument (LI) 1666, 2000 on the membership of Regional Houses of Chiefs with regard to the elevation of some chiefs in the Brong-Ahafo Region by the Asantehene through consultations should be deleted from the LI.
It made the declaration at its maiden meeting for the year in Kumasi. The LI stated that “the Otumfuo Asantehene in consultation with the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs may elevate the following chiefs to paramountcy, Tuobodom, Tanoso, Tano-Obuase and Buoyem and upon the elevation the chiefs shall become members of the BARHC”.
Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempimhene, said historical facts from the Ashanti/Brong Ahafo Chieftaincy Affair Committee attested to the fact that Asantehene could elevate chiefs under his jurisdiction without consultation with any paramount chief or Regional House of Chiefs.
He cited the report of the committee, which was chaired by Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama and Supreme Court ruling in the Techimanhene’s case on the elevation. Nana Dr Susubribi Krobea Asante, Asokoremanhene, in said the nomination and installation of chiefs are done by customary law and elevation of chiefs to paramountcy is also by customary law.
He said there is no law that the Asantehene should consult any Regional House of Chiefs or paramount chief before elevating any chief, adding, “this has no status in customary law”.
He, however, said in future some consultations on the administrative, financial and security implications should be taken into consideration before elevations are made.
Nana Otuo Serebour II, Juabenhene, said the four chiefs were elevated in 1996 under the customary law and they swore the oath of allegiance to Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, therefore, they should be admitted into the BARHC.
Summing up, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, said at the appropriate time, Manhyia Palace will seek clarification from the Supreme Court for the true and proper interpretation of those, who owe allegiance to the Golden Stool. He pointed out that the usage of the word “owe allegiance” has been taken for granted because political interests have been allowed to over-ride the institution of chieftaincy and thereby undermining it.
The Asantehene advised the chiefs, who are custodians of lands to have equity participation in the investment potentials of the land by attracting investors and undertake joint ventures with them.
He explained that when they allocate concessions to companies they could own equity in the sawmills, which process the timber and generate revenue for their stools.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended the chiefs for their co-operation and assistance, advice and fruitful discussion during his one year reign and asked them to gird their loins for the task ahead.
He pointed out that any honour bestowed on him during the year was to all chiefs and people of Asanteman. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said since he was human, he might make some mistakes and asked the chiefs not to hesitate to point out his faults to him, so that together they could move Asanteman forward.
